Leather Products Ethiopia

Ethiopia is well-known for its finished leather products. The country has great potential to position itself as a sustainable sourcing destination. Its leather sector has opportunities to grow economically and socially and boost export development.  

The European Union (EU) is an important importer and exporter of leather products. During the last 2 decades, there has been a sudden increase in EU imports of leather products. In particular, imports of chrome-free leather products and footwear have increased. 

In this project, the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) helps Ethiopian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the leather industry explore opportunities in the European market. The project also involves cooperation with different Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in the leather sector.

Project goals

This project aims to

  • Establish a stable position for Ethiopian leather products in the mid and mid-high segments of the European market. To do this, the project offers technical help to (aspiring) exporting SMEs in the Ethiopian leather products sector.
  • Work on capacity development in the export-enabling environment via cooperation with BSOs.

 

Project participants and products

12 companies are taking part in this export coaching project. These companies export leather products such as sustainably sourced handbags, gloves, and accessories like wallets and credit card holders.

Name of companyProducts
Sabegn

Leather bags and accessories, placemats, wall art and carpets.

 

Davimpex Enterprise Bahirdar Tannery PLC

Finished leather, dressing and sport wear gloves, garments and leather accessories, shoe uppers and other leather products.

 

Dingo Leather CraftsWomen's and men's leather bags (shoulder bags, handbags, backpacks and travel bags), belts and wallets.
Entoto Beth ArtisanJewellery, leather bags and accessories, handwoven textiles and handmade baskets.
Kinaff Leather

Leather bags (handbags, shoulder bags, satchel bags, clutch bags), leather garments (jackets, shirts, skirts, kimonos and coats).

 

Kabana DesignHandcrafted leather bags and accessories (tote bags, crossbody bags, laptop bags, card holders and passport wallets).
Kootkeet

Leather bags and accessories.

 

Meron Addis Ababa

Leather bags and accessories.

 

Root in StyleWomen's and men's leather handbags, leather pet accessories, small leather gift items, jewellery, and home and office accessories
Sammy Ethiopia

Leather bags, leather garments, home accessories and other lifestyle products for home and fashion.

 

Shir Shir Ethiopia

leather bags (laptop bags, women's and men's bags), belts, jackets and wallets.

 

About - Tibeb Leather Works

Leather bags, journals and accessories (wallet, laptop case, sling bags), artisanal products.

 

Contact CBI at consumer@cbi.eu to learn more about these companies or to contact these exporters directly.

You can also meet these potential suppliers at the Who's Next fashion trade fair in Paris, France, from 8-10 September 2024.

Partners

CBI works with several partners to improve the export-enabling environment of the Ethiopian leather products sector. Partners include:

 

Activities

This project includes:

  • Online) training activities;
  • A market orientation mission to Italy in 2022;
  • (Online) coaching from CBI sector experts;
  • Workshops on relevant topics such as EU market access requirements, product development, gender and Corporate Social Responsibility;
  • Participation in European trade fairs and networking events. The first trade fair we attended was Who's Next 2023. The next one will be again Who’s Next in Paris, France, from 8-10 September 2024;
  • Capacity building of selected BSOs in the leather sector. This involves helping BSOs improve their service level;
  • Activities focusing on improving sector collaboration, for example, working together to implement a sector export market plan developed in 2022.
  • Assisting the sector with promoting the unique Ethiopian Highland Sheep leather, among others by organising a stakeholder conference in June 2024 and providing a platform to showcase EHL products at the Paris trade fair Who’s Next’24.

 

Get involved as an importer

Are you a European importer interested in leather products from companies in Ethiopia? Contact CBI to get more information or to meet with suppliers in this project being trained to export to Europe.

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Programme Manager

Hugo Verhoeven
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